Solar Power Projects

Relevance:

Under the ‘Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects’, a total of 57 solar parks of aggregate capacity of 39,285 MW were sanctioned until November-end. However, only 25% of solar power projects have been commissioned.

Key Highlights:

• India had committed to installing 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 of which 100 GW was to be solar power. [October 2022, installed only 61 GW of solar power]
• Status of India –
  • 2^nd largest market in Asia for new solar PV capacity and 3^rd globally.4^th for total installations (60.4 GW), overtaking Germany (59.2 GW) for the first time.
  • Top states for large-scale solar installations – Rajasthan > Gujarat > Maharashtra [June 2022]
• Issues –
  • Hurdles in acquisition of land with clear title.
  • Issue of Great Indian Bustard collision with power cables because of which companies were asked to lay underground cables in Rajasthan.

Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects:

• Rolled out by – Ministry of New & Renewable Energy in 2014
• Implementing Agency – Solar Power Park Developer (SPPD)
• Objective – To facilitate the solar project developers to set up projects in a plug and play model.
• Benefits –
  • It facilitates and speed up installation of grid connected solar power projects for electricity generation on a large scale.
  • The solar parks provide suitable developed land with all clearances, transmission system, water access, road connectivity, communication network, etc.

Other Initiatives for Solar energy:

• International Solar Alliance: A joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.
• Rooftop Solar Scheme: To harness solar power by installing solar panels on the roof of houses.
• Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY): Installation of solar street lighting (SSL) systems in states with less than 50% of households covered with grid power (as per Census 2011).
• One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme on ‘National programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules’.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

Consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 2 only
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

Reference: The Hindu